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BY 



RALPH S. WOODWORTH 



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BY 



RALPH S. WOODWORTH 






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PRELUDE 

If a perusal of these poems serve to entertain, to inspire, 
to uplift or to beguile you for a time from the cares of a 
busy life, the author will be content. 

R. S. W. 



• ♦ 



Copyrighted, 1921, by 

RALPH S. WOODWORTH 

Elkhart, Indiana 

g)CI.A622911 

SEP 22 71 



*'\A S 



] 



GOD'S BENEDICTION HOUR 

Blest twilight time, clear evening hour, 
When all the earth is hushed to rest, 
When wearied child and drooping flower 
Ailke recline on parent breast. 
Blest eventide, 'tis then we know 
That Christ is near to lift us higher, 
And make our souls to feel the glow 
Of true religions holy fire. 

The morning sun is pure and bright 
With scented air from sun-kissed hill. 
The noontide bursts with dazzling light 
O'er wooded slope and rippling rill ; 
But when the evening shadows fall, 
We feel God's presence everywhere, 
'Tis then we hear the Savior's call, 
'Tis then we bow in earnest prayer. 

Majestic hour of all the day, 
When nature's voices whisper low, 
When angels sing and mortals pray 
To Him who all our grief doth known. 
Then may we lift our hearts to Thee, 
Then may we feel Thy wondrous power, 
Then may we all from sin be free. 
At this, Thy benediction hour. 



-2- 



CONTENT 

We may travel o'er mountain and meadow, 
We may journey through valley and dell, 
We may ride on the waves of the ocean, 
And hear the sweet story they tell. 
But unless we bear burdens for others 
And lift up the heads that are bent, 
We never can hope to discover 
The greatest of treasure, content. 

We way dwell in a palace of splendor, 
We may juggle with nuggets of gold. 
But unless we are loving and tender 
Our hearts will be heavy and cold. 
Help others, the way will grow brighter. 
The way that the Nazarene went 
And, lo ! our own loads will be lighter 
And we'll find that great treasure, content. 




—3- 



CAN ANY ONE DOUBT OUR GOD? 

Can any one look at the morning sun 

As it lightens the purpling east, 

With its majesty surpassing far 

Any monarch arrayed for a feast, 

Or watching at night as it sinks to rest 

In the beauttiful western sky, 

Have a doubt that God in His power and might 

Is reigning supremely on high? 

Can any one look at a pansy or rose, 

Or the tint of a butterfly's wing, 

And think that aught but a power divine. 

Could form such an exquisite thing? 

Can any one look on this glorious world, 

Or the azure sky above. 

And doubt the Creator of heaven and earth 

And His infinite wealth of love? 




—4- 



AN OUTDOOR DREAM 

Just a little cottage with the roses climbing 'round 

And the morning glories hanging from the eaves, 

Daises and the clover blossoms springing from the ground 

Midst the music of the rustling lilac leaves ; 

The rippling of a brooklet flowing noisily along 

Close bordering a tiny garden spot, 

With every breath a ablessing and life and endless song 

And trouble, care and worry all forgot. 

With mild-eyed cattle grazing in the meadow near at hand. 

And the quail a calling "Bob- White" t oher mate, 

With Dick, my faithful pointer, to come at my command 

And chanticleer perched on the garden gate, 

Ihe blue smoke slowly curling from my pipe of peace serene, 

Its fragrance filtering through the falling dew. 

But one thing more is needful to complete the happy scene 

And that, you've surely guessed, sweetheart, is you. 




— 0- 



WHEN BILLY AND I GO FISHING 

1 he blacbird calls from the willow tree, 
The bees are a humming drowsily, 
And Bill squints his eye as he says to me, 
"Let's you and I go fishing." 

Then I look up at the blue in the sky 
And think of the meadows green near by 
And say as I glance with anxious eye, 
"All right, we'll go a-fishing." 

And Bill, he acts like a circus clown 
As we turn our backs on the buRy town 
And size up the beauty of nature's gown 
On our way to the lake a-fishinsf. 

But as like as not the fish won't Ate 

And Bill will say that "the wind ain't right,' 

But that won't lessen his appetite 

When Billy and I go fishing. 

Ah ! a day like this has a value rare 
And I can't learn a lesson anywhere 
That to my mind will quite compare 
With a trip to the lake a-fishing. 

And whether its August or gentle June 
The shadows of night come all too soon, 
But nature has put us back in tune 
For Billy and I've been fishing. 



-6- 




LINES ON LINCOLN 

Steadfast, serene, alone he stood 

In time of greatest strees. 

The while his heart poured forth a flood 

Of love and tenderness. 

No wonder 'tis, nor mystery 
That martyred he should be, 
No character in history 
So like the Christ as he. 




—7- 



WASHINGTON 

Patient and loyal, true and kind, 
With tenderness and strenth combined, 
A noble man of master mind 
Was Washington. 

Kis honored name will ever be 
The dearest word in history ; 
And all revere the memory 
Of Washington. 

And so today we celebrate 
The birth of one both good and great, 
Whose courage changed a nation's fate, 
George Washington. 




-8— 



A CHRISTMAS CAROL 

Thou God above, in realms above, 

In whom we live and breathe and move, 

Accept our humble thanks, we pray, 

On this our Savior's natal day. 

For peace and plenty, health and cheer, 

And all the blessings of the year. 

And as we celebrate the birth 

Of Thy dear Son, who blessed the earth 

With love and gladness long ago, 

So may we live and learn and know 

The greatest lesson in life's school, 

As taught by Him, the golden rule. 




—9— 



A CHRISTMAS SONG 

In the midst of this season of gladness 
When the bells ring a musical chime, 
There are those bearing burdens of sadness 
Whose lips are lilting a rhyme. 
Some mother is heartsick and lonely, 
Some father is silent and sad, 
Some drink of the bitter cup only, 
Not all can be cheery and glad. 

But whether in pain or in pleasure, 

We honor the birth of our Lord, 

We all may receive a full measure 

Of help and of strength from His word. 

And lifting alike our petitions 

To Him who can still the rough sea, 

Serenely we'll meet life's conditions 

As Christ did on blue Galilee. 




—10- 



EASTER SONG 

All hail ! al Ihail ! ! to the risen King, 

To the man of Galilee. 

Let the praise of every nation ring 

Triumphant o'er land and sea, 

For the power of Christ is the same today 

As it was when the stone was rolled away. 

Let us not forget, in this world of stress. 

To follow our King's command, 

"Every knee shall bow and each tongue confes. 

It is easy to understand. 

For the gospel of Christ is the same today 

As it was when the stone was rolled away. 

Then down the ages and through the gloom 

Of darkness that sin has made, 

The same sweet voice from the Savior's tomb 

Says, " 'Tis I, be not afraid," 

For the love of Christ is the same today 

As it was when the stone was rolled away. 



-11- 



AN EASTER ODE 

Easter time comes to remind us 
Christ is our risen King, 
Joyous today may He find us 
Ready His praise to sing. 
Banish all sorrow and sadness, 
Bare is the riven tomb, 
Nothing but glory and gladness, 
Never a thought of gloom. 

Lovingly He watches o'er us, 
We are His children all. 
Bright is the pathway before us 
We shall not faint or fall. 
He is our Savior forever. 
Soon shall we see His face. 
We shall abide with Him ever, 
Saved by His wondrous grace. 




-12- 



A PRAYER 

Wlien'er my heart is bowed with grief, 
When'er the world seems dark and drear, 
When'er oppressed by unbelief, 
Come Thou, O Christ, and linger near. 

Let me but hear Thy voice divine. 
Let me but know that Thou are near. 
Let me but feel Thy hand in mine, 
'Twill drive away all doubt and fear. 

In clouds and sunshine be my guide, 
In joy and sadness be my friend ; 
Walk all through life close by my side, 
Be mine, dear Lord, unto the end. 



-13- 



BE KIND 

Just to be always kind, my friend, 
Is such an easy thing to do, 
But when the day is at an end 
And with its duties we are through, 
Our souls are chastened and refined 
If we have been sincerely kind. 

For kindness is the child of love, 
And where love has a dwelling place, 
The light that shineth from above 
Illuminates both soul and face, 
And sweet contentment we shall find 
If we will be sincerely kind. 




—14 



A MEMORY 

So near, so near, He seemed to be 
That sweetest peace came unto me. 
My listening ear 
Could almost hear 
Him saying, child there's naught to fear, 
And there was not, with Christ so near. 

So near, so near, He seemed to be. 
That His dear self my soul could see. 

His radiant face 

Made that drear place 
As bright as heavenly places be ; 
Gloom changed to glory there for me. 

So near, so near, He seemed to be. 
That I was lost in ecstasy. 

I longed to go 

And told Him so 
But hearkened when He whispered, No, 
Your work's unfinished here below. 

And so I asked for strength and grace, 
For every time and every place, 

To do my best ; 

And leave the rest 
With Him, and may I never stray 
From my dear Savior's side away. 



-15— 



LET ME IN THY PRESENCE BE 

Savior when this life is o'er, 
When my soul from earth is free, 
When I reach the heavenly shore, 
Let me in Thy presence be. 

When I cross death's narrow stream 
Let me not lose sight of Thee, 
Gently, kindly, on me beam. 
Let me in Thy presence be. 

In Thy glorious courts above 
I will learn Thy praise to tell, 
In the radiance of Thy love. 
With the blest forever dwell. 

Hear me, Lord, as I shall pray 
Softly now on bended knee, 
In that grand eteranl day 
Let me in Thy presence be. 




-16— 




LINCOLN 

When Lincoln spoke 
The nation held a listening ear, 

Proud freedom woke 
And cruel slavery quaked with fear. 

When Lincoln died 
The stricken nation wept and grieved 

'Till freedom cried, 
He waits above; his task achieved. 




-17- 



LIFE 

O, Life is a joyous thing 
And we toss our hand at fate, 
For life is to laugh and sing 
When the heart has found its mate. 

The days like a dream drift by, 
And pleaasant the way and straight 
And cloudless and bright our sky 
When the heart hath found its mate. 

But life is a dreary thing. 
And weeping we watch and wait 
For the peace that death shall bring, 
When the heart hath lost its mate. 




—18- 



A FANCY 

My love is a fairy, as light and as airy, 
As ever tbe down on a thistle could be, 
Some day I will marry this beautiful fairy 
And take her away o'er the fathomless sea. 
We'll dv>^ell in the heather, be happy together, 
And nothing will trouble us all the day long. 
We'll gather sweet flowers until the nighr hours 
Then be lulled to sleep by the nightingale's s. ng. 

No evil shall harm us and naught can alarm us, 

For we'll be as pure as the dewdrops at dawn. 

The birds will all love us, the bright stars above us 

Will watch o'er our sleep till night's curtains are drawn. 

When life's hours are ending, the angels descending. 

Will bear us away to our home in the sky, 

Where nothing will ever occur to discover 

The love of my beautiful fairy and I. 




-19- 



A SUPPLICATION 

Search me Lord and know my heart, 
Try me all my thoughts to know, 
When from 'right I would depart, 
Lead as Thous wouldst have me go. 

Thou has laid Thine hand on me 
Compassing my path about, 
Whither, Master, shall I flee 
That Thou canst not find me out. 

Yea, the darkness hideth not 
From Thine eye, and like the day 
Shines the night around the spot 
Where, in shame, I turn away. 

If 1 take the morning's wings 
O'er the boundless sea to dwell, 
Lo, Thy hand in mercy clings, 
Thou Shalt guide me there as well. 

When in secret I was made 
All imperfect, Thou didst see, 
Let me then be not afraid. 
Draw me nearer. Lord, to Thee. 

Search me. Lord, and know my heai'i 
Try me all my thoughts to know, 
When from right I would depart ; 
Lead as Thous wouldst have me go. 

-20- 



ARE WE DOING THE BEST WE CAN? 

Are we doing the best we can today, 

The best we know how to do? 

It's one thing you know to preach and pray 

And another to carry it through. 

And I wonder if we can truly say 

We are doing the best we can today. 

Are we doing the best we can today, 
The very best we can do? 
The time is short that we have to stay. 
And it's best to be brave and true, 
And a glorious thing indeed to say 
We are doing the best we can today. 

Are we doing the best we can today 

Regardless of lodge or creed? 

Are we always able to keep away 

From graft and grab and greed? 

Oh ! happy the man who can always say, 

I am doing the best I can today. 

Are we doing the best we can today, 

Or do we quibble and twist 

For the coin, in every possible way 

To hold in our puny fist? 

Oh ! let's turn about and be able to say 

We are doing the best we can today. 



-21- 



WHEN CONSISTENCY PREVAILS. 

I wonder when the time will ever be 

When Capital and Labor can agree ; 

When the men whom we elect 

Will continue to respect 

The pledges that they made so earnestly. 

I wonder when the time will ever be 

When the Preachers can forget their salary 

For just a little while, 

And emulate the style 

Of Him they represent so fervently. 

I wonder when the time will ever be 

When all of us our duty plainly see 

To weed our hearts of greed 

And help the ones in need. 

God speed the time when all these things shall be. 




-22— 



THE GUIDING STAR. 

When Christ was born 

That gladsome morn 

Two thousand years ago, 
A star of love 
Shone from above 

His resting place to show. 

And wise men came 

With hearts aflame 

To worship and adore. 
And shepherds meek 
Their Lord did seek 

And spread the tidings o'er. 

O' Eastern Star 

In skies afar 

Shine ever clear and bright, 

Shine now as then 

When other men 
Were guided by thy light. 

Lead us each day 

From sin away 

We fix our hearts on thee 
O ! Lead us straight 
Through heaven's gate 

To dwell eternally. 



—23— 




A CHRISTMAS PRAYER. 

Teach us, O Christ to understand 
How we should worship Thee today. 
For blessings from Thy bounteous hand 
May we be grateful, Lord we pray. 
But most of all, for Thy redeeming power 
May we be thankful every day and hour. 

To earthly friends we freely give 

The gifts that they most dearly prize. 

Help us, O Christ, for Thee to live 

And make some daily sacrifice. 

For when life's little race so swiftly run 

Is o'er, Eternity is just begun. 




—24- 



EASTER THOUGHTS. 

Wliat does Easter time mean to me, and what does it 
mean to you? 

Does it mean a display of grand array without an emotion 
true? 

Or do v.e behold in the sunset's gold, the touch of the 
Master's hand? 

Does the blue above but reflect His love over the sun- 
kissed land? 

Do the echoing voices of long ago repeat the sweet story 

old 
Of a risen Christ and an empty tomb from which the 

stone was rolled? 
Do we list to the Christ as He speaks today, or do we pass 

Him by 
And hasten along with the careless throng? How is it 

with you and I? 

Oh ! our hearts should thrill at each song bird's trill, and 

the music of stream and wood 
Should vibrate fine with the voice divine and the world 

seem wondrous good; 
For we are His children and He our King and tenderly 

from above 
He reaches a merciful hand to us — for God, our God, 

is love. 



—25— 



AN EASTER HYMN. 

We may not see His pierced hands 
Nor look into His face, 
But we can feel His cleansing power 
And know His saving grace. 

We may not see the empty tomb 
From which the stone was rolled, 
But we can claim His Promises, 
The sweetest ever told. 

And though temptations come to us, 
And though at times we fall 
We find, if we are penitent 
Forgiveness for all. 

Then let us not forget to love, 

To honor and obey 

The Christ who died and rose again 

On that triumphant day. 




-26— 



THE STREET FIDDLER. 

He leaned half wearily against the post 
That stood like sentinel at corner of the street ; 
His sightless eyes saw not the passing host, 
His ears were heedless of the rushing feet. 
But Oh ! the music he could bring 
From out each silent slumbering string. 

His violin caressingly, he held 

Beneath his chin, against the sunken breast, 

And fast or slow the magic bow propelled 

By slender fingers moving swift and deft, 

And melody seductive, sweet. 

Poured out upon the busy street. 

His sallow face pathetically upturned 
Betrayed the sadness of his lonely heart; 
The fire of genius that so brightly burned, 
Seemed phantom-like, and from himself apart, 
Yet, Oh ! the sweetness he could bring 
From out each trembling tuneful string. 



-27- 



WHEN SORROW IMAKES US KIN. 

There's a fact that's worth observing along life's rugged 

way, 
It gives us faith and courage and helps us every day ; 
It's the love that's lying latent, the spark divine within, 
And we reach a common level when sorrow makes us kin. 

When multitudes are stricken with famine, flood or fire. 
The world responds as quickly as the word comes off the 

wire. 
And when accident or sickness lays any of us low. 
The burden oft is lightened by affection's tender glow. 

For sorrow draws us nearer upto God as well as man, 
It's visitation teaches us to live the best we can; 
And sordid self is lifted and we feel the God within. 
And equality is recognized when sorrow makes us kin. 




-28 



IT MAY BE. 

It may be when the mists shall clear 
So that our vision sweeps the skies, 
That every lingering doubt and fear 
Will melt away before our eyes, 
And that His spirit like a dove 
Will wing its way to our retreat, 
And lead us by the cord of love 
In safety to our Master's feet. 

It may be in that blissful day 
When we our Savior's face behold, 
When earthly cares have passed away 
And life's short story has been told, 
That He will take us by the hand 
And, basking in that smile benign, 
We'll somehow learn and understand 
The boundless depths of love divine. 




^m 



-29- 



THE GOLDEN AGE THAT IS TO BE. 

O- Golden Age tliat is to be, 
When naught but good we all shall see. 
When greed and vice shall pass away 
And love and justice rule the day, 
When all the world from sin is free 
In that glad time that is to be. 

When with each day's descending sun, 
We count some- righteous victory vs^on. 
And when each dawn that glints the sky. 
Shines His approval from on high. 
When peace joins hands with purity, 
In that blest age that i^to be. 

O ! Golden age that is to be, 
Why movest thou so tardily? 
Why need the world so long endure 
The ills that love alone can cure? 
Come reign in sweet tranquillity 
Ye golden age that is to be. 




-30- 



THY CREED OF LOVE. 

Dear God, help me to live each clay, 
Free from all selfishness and wrong; 
Give me the grace to tread alway 
The path of peace, and cheer and song ; 
And this my prayer to Thee above, 
Teach me Thy creed of love. 

May it be said, when I depart 
This life for that mysterious shore, 
His was a tender loving heart. 
Dear Lord, I ask for nothing more. 
So, looking from Thy courts above, 
Teach me Thy creed of love. 

What good can I accomplish here 
If I defraud, if I oppress ; 
If in my heart I have not cheer 
And sympathy and tenderness? 
And so I pray to heaven above, 
Bestow Thy creed of love. 




-31— 



HEAVEN AND EARTH REPOICE. 

Merry, Merry Christmas! 
Let the bells ring loud and clear. 

Merry, Merry Christmas. 
Dearest day of all the year. 
And all the little girls and boys 
With dancing eyes and childish toys 
With make the whole world brighter 
With their happiness and cheer. 

Merry, Merry Christmas! 
'Tis a day we all should love. 

Merry, Merry Christmas, 
Echo from the courts above, 
And from the great angelic throng 
In fancy, we can hear the song. 
That Christ is glad in glory 
Same as we are happy here. 




-32— 



A CHRISTMAS SUGGESTION. 

As we shall celebrate the birth 

Of Christ, the King of heaven and earth, 

So also may we do aright 

The things most pleasing in His sight. 

And, if we cannot heal the blind 
We can, at least like Him, be kind ; 
For kindness heals the broken heart, 
And that alone may be our part. 

And if we cannot scatter bread 
To multitudes, we can instead 
Do something in a humble way 
To honor Christ this Christmas Day. 




—33- 



OUR RICHEST GIFT. 

When we receive 

On Christmas eve 
The gifts from those we love, 

May we not let 

Ourselves forget 
The Christ who reigns above. 

Whose humble birth 

Upon this earth 
Meant peace for me and you 

If we obey 

And walk the way 
That he ordains us to. 

Then let us live 

To love and give, 
Our hearts devoid of guile 

For, after all 

When God doth call 
There's nothing else worth while. 




-34- 



THE WOKLD WITHIN. 

The world grows better every day 
Is what the optimist will say ; 
And smile as he is passing by 
With cheery word and sparkling eye. 

The world grows worse, some men will say 
And, frowning darkly, sulk away 
And leave us in a doubting plight 
To figure out which one is right. 

Suppose we turn and look within 
And if w^e find remorse and sin, 
We'll join the pessimistic man 
And find just all the fault we can. 

But if the introspective view 
Reveals a heart that's pure and true 
Then we can truly feel and say, 
The world grows better every day. 




-35- 



IN THE VALLEY OF THE OLD ST. JOE. 

There's a clear winding stream 
Fringed with willows bending low, 
And its waters agleam, 
Make sweet music as they flow, 
Where my life from care was free, 
Where the birds sang jnst for me, 
In the valley of the old St. Joe. 

Take me back just tonight 
Where the St. Joe River flows, 
Where the moon shines so bright 
And the honey-suckle grows, 
For I long once more to be 
'Neath the bending willow tree 
In the valley of the old St. Joe. 

Roll along — roll along 

Dear old stream as you have done; 

Sing the same cheery song 

'Till life's race at last is run 

Then, forever may I rest 

In the vale I love the best 

In the valley of the old St. Joe. 



-36- 



OCTOBER. 

Hail grandest month of all the year 
There's tonic in your atmosphere, 
And I am glad that you are here, 
Delightful old October. 

Your sunset skies in colors rare 
complete a picture wondrous fair, 
And beauty greets us everywhere, 
In splendid old October. 

The forest trees in gorgeous dress 
Resplendent in their loveliness 
All blushingiy their love confess 
To you, my dear October. 

Your captivating, wininng way 
Has made me wish that you would stay. 
And I'll be sad when you're away, 
Majestic old October. 




''(S"^ e) 



-37- 



WHY FEAR? 

I'm here 

And while I stay 
My part I'll play 
As best I can 
For 'tis God's plan. 
Why fear? 

I'm here 
As He ordained. 
If heaven's gained 
I'll see His face, 
O, wondrous grace ; 
Why fear? 

I'm here 
At His behest, 
And with the blest 
I shall abide 
At His dear side; 
Why fear? 



—38- 




A DESIRE. 

Could I but live one day as Thou didst live 
No selfish motive hold, nor idle thought 
Thinking, believing, acting as I ought, 
All earthly hopes and treasures would I give 
Could I but live, O Christ, as Thou didst live. 




-39- 



m^s-X: 



